In mid-January, news emerged that Geothermal Rising, a U.S.-based organization, acquired the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association.

During extreme seasons, the importance of reliable heating and cooling systems becomes evident. This column focuses on heat pumps, highlighting key factors to consider such as size, efficiency, cost and environmental impact.

he Inflation Reduction Act is expected to invest around $370 billion to improve energy security and reduce carbon pollution. The legislation is seen as a significant step toward combating climate change and promoting sustainable progress. 

Scientists have found polymetallic nodules deep in the ocean that could help us with energy storage. However, they are crucial to the ecosystem and deep-sea mining could have detrimental effects. Extracting thermal energy from the sun seems more practical, more reliable and less expensive.

Greenwashing is a misleading marketing practice that stands in the way of real environmental progress

‘Beneficial electrification’ refers to the need to electrify buildings to reduce emissions from combustion heating.

‘Beneficial electrification’ refers to the need to electrify buildings to reduce emissions from combustion heating.

Thermal energy networks can increase the value of other heating/cooling industry opportunities: increased employment of pipefitters and mechanical engineers, repiping of old buildings, improvements in heat pump design, wastewater system design with heat transfer, geothermal heat pump training and quality inspections.  

When we must decide between eating or paying our heating bills, you know things are bad. One method to make energy more affordable is creating thermal energy networks — connecting multiple buildings and sharing thermal energy sources such as geothermal.